Runyon Preserve

Location

Runyon Preserve is located on Morgan Street, east of Hamilton Street, in Lockport.

View Runyon Preserve interactive map

Hours

8 a.m.-Sunset

Phone

815-727-8700

Activities

Geocaching

Runyon Preserve in Lockport offers a quiet natural area centered around woodland and creek habitat, with a history rooted in early recreation and community use. At 21 acres, its small size makes it a simple place to enjoy a short visit close to home.

Planning your visit

Runyon Preserve is open 8 a.m. to sunset every day of the year except Christmas.

Exploring the preserve

Runyon Preserve has a parking lot and small non-rentable shelter. Visitors can enjoy informal exploration and nature observation.

Prescribed burns: Why and how we do them

Putting fire to the landscape is an important tool in land management and keeps invasive species at bay.

Breakfast with some bald eagles

You never know what is going to drop into the picture when out in the preserves. In this case, it was a very hungry bald eagle. Bon appétit!

Monitoring grassland birds

Learn how staff track nesting and migrating birds to help protect healthy prairie habitats.

Flora and fauna

The preserve protects forest habitat and a portion of Fiddyment Creek. Wildlife found at the preserve includes species such as the western chorus frog.

Preserve history

Runyon Preserve was acquired between 1934 and 2004 and is part of the Fiddyment Creek preservation system, which protects nearly 300 acres.

Before acquisition, the site was known as Legion Park and was owned by the American Legion. The preserve is named for Armstead Runyon, a local settler and early advocate of the Illinois and Michigan Canal.

(Photo by Anthony Schalk)

A double-crested cormorant swimming in water.

Lake Renwick Migratory Bird Viewing

July 4, 2026 | 8:00 A.M TO 12:00 P.M

See the dazzling spectacle of nesting herons, egrets and cormorants at our weekly bird viewings at Lake Renwick Heron Rookery Nature Preserve.

A man bent over spraying plants in a field full of tall grasses and plants.

Volunteer Morning: Vermont Cemetery Preserve

July 7, 2026 | 8:00 A.M TO 11:00 A.M

Get some fresh air and exercise while helping to make a difference in your community by attending one or more of the Forest Preserve’s volunteer mornings.

A cardinal perched on a branch with its mouth open in song. The branches are filled with green leaves.

It’s Giving … Illinois

July 8, 2026 | 1:30 P.M TO 3:00 P.M

Visit Plum Creek Nature Center for an interactive hike to learn about our state icons.

Image of paved trail with grasses and an inset of a white and blue van.

Forest Preserve to begin Districtwide asphalt assessment

July 1, 2026 | Preserves and trails

Some preserve closures or delayed openings will be required.

The silhouette of a person standing in the dark pointing at a shooting star streaking across the star-filled sky.

Meteor shower activity really heats up in July

June 29, 2026 | Nature and wildlife

Shooting star activity will be heating up in July, with three meteor showers kicking off. A comet will also be visible in the night sky.

Kneeling woman with her arms around a black dog.

Half-price 2026 dog park permits are available for purchase

June 29, 2026 | Recreation

The permits are good through Dec. 31.

Frequently asked questions

There are many opportunities to volunteer with us. Visit the volunteer information page for more information.

Call 911 in an emergency. Non-emergency safety concerns should be directed to the Laraway Communications Center dispatch at 815-727-6191 (option 9) to have a Forest Preserve District officer dispatched. Non-emergency and past concerns can also be reported to the District's police department by calling 815-727-8700 or through the online form.

Visit the Frequently Asked Questions: Concealed Carry page for information about firearms in the District's forest preserves and visitor centers.

Runyon Preserve

Location

Hours

Phone